Everyone’s favorite Celtic rockers Scythian, also affectionately known as MerleFest’s house band, are headed down south to the land of the pines with a show in Charlotte on Thursday, July 10, and one in Boone on Friday, July 11. And if that’s not enough Scythian, you can catch them at a FREE show on Saturday, July 12, in Herndon, Virginia.
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From Scythian: As the vibrant rhythms of summer begin to hum and the sweet anticipation of sunlit adventures fills the air, we have an exciting announcement that’s music to your ears!
As the vibrant energy of summer kicks in, we know that many of you have been swept up in the thrill of new vacations, adventures, and the wonderful freedom that comes with the end of the school year.
It’s a time to explore, to dance under the sun, and to fill your days with the joy that only summer can bring. And what better way to amplify that joy than by securing your spot at the most anticipated event of the season, the Appaloosa Roots Music Festival?
That’s right – you now have until June 10 to secure your Early Bird tickets for Appaloosa at the lowest prices possible.
This is your golden opportunity to lock in your spot at the festival everyone is buzzing about without breaking the bank.
Why Should You Act Now?
Best Prices of the Season: After June 10, ticket prices will increase. This is your last chance to snag these unbeatable prices and save more of your hard-earned cash for those summer road trips, festival outfits, or perhaps an extra festival treat!
Unparalleled Festival Experience: Imagine three days of soul-stirring music, electrifying performances, and a community that celebrates roots music like no other. By securing your tickets now, you’re ensuring your place at an event that promises memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
Exciting Lineup: This year’s Appaloosa Roots Music Festival features a stellar lineup that will have you dancing from dawn till dusk. From beloved headliners to emerging talents, the stage is set for an epic musical journey.
Honestly, there doesn’t seem to be a reason to not do it!
Get Your Early Bird Tickets Now!
We believe that music has the power to bring people together, to create magical moments, and to make summers truly special. The Appaloosa Roots Music Festival is our way of sharing that magic with you!
With a lineup featuring some of the most talented artists in roots music, an array of food and craft vendors, and the beautiful backdrop of the Shenandoah Valley, this year’s festival promises to be the best one yet.
Remember, the clock is ticking! June 10 is just around the corner, and we want to see you at Appaloosa, dancing, singing, and making memories that will last a lifetime.
We’re thrilled to extend this offer to you and can’t wait to share the magic of the Appaloosa Roots Music Festival.
https://appaloosafestival.com/ticket-info
Editor’s Note: This story originally ran in the Wake Weekly newspaper at this link.
As summer winds down, Labor Day weekend is heating up with a variety of outdoor music festivals from western North Carolina to Virginia. What better way to celebrate the social and economic achievements of American workers than hanging out with friends and listening to some old favorites, as well as being introduced to some new artists?
Following are just a few festivals featuring a variety of musical genres and activities to choose from:
The Earl Scruggs Music Festival
The Earl Scruggs Music Festival in Mill Spring, North Carolina, Sept. 1-3, is a celebration of the defining bluegrass banjo player Earl Scruggs. It features about 30 bluegrass, folk and Americana acts on two stages, including newgrass band Into the Fog, which has its roots in Wake Forest, where lead singer and band co-founder Brian Stephenson calls home, and Raleigh’s Tray Wellington Band. Other acts include Emmy Lou Harris, Del McCoury Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, The Earls of Leicester, Pete Wernick,Greensky Bluegrass, The Jerry Douglas Band, Della Mae, Darin and Brooke Aldridge, Zoe and Cloyd, Rissi Palmer, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper and the Jon Stickley Trio. The festival also hosts a collection of food trucks, children’s activities, free horse jumping demonstrations and trail rides for a fee. The festival debuted in 2022 and is a collaboration between the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby and WNCW FM at Isothermal Community College in Rutherfordton. For a schedule and tickets visit earlscruggsmusicfest.com/.
The Happy Valley Old-Time Fiddlers’ Convention
The Happy Valley Old-Time Fiddlers’ Convention at Jones Farm in Lenoir, North Carolina, is Sept. 1-3 and pays homage to the legends and stories of the Yadkin River Valley. The festival includes 11 categories of competition for old time and bluegrass bands and musicians and featured performances on Sunday, plus children’s activities, food vendors and more. In addition to competitors, artists include William Ritter and Sarah Ogletree, Burnett Sisters Band, Michael Reno Harrell, Strictly Clean and Decent, Rob McHale and Rodney Sutton. The 2023 festival is the 18th and final edition of the event, organizers say. Learn more at happyvalleyfiddlers.org/.
The 12th annual John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival
The 12th annual John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival set for Sept. 2-3 in High Point’s Oak Hollow Festival Park is sponsored by The Friends of John Coltrane, which works to preserve and celebrate the life and music of Coltrane and to enrich the lives of others through the introduction of jazz and other musical genres. Artists include Keb’ Mo’, Dave Koz, Maysa, Mr. Sipp, Candy Dulfer, Eric Darius, Norman Brown, Samara Joy, Chucho Valdes, Yellowjackets, Terri Lyne Carrington, Matthew Whitaker, and more. Learn more at coltranejazzfest.com
The 14th annual African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County
The 14th annual African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County is set for Sept. 2-3 and celebrates African American culture through art, music, dance, food and community. Local and national musical acts are presented Saturday and Sunday on the main stage in addition to a juried art gallery, craft and food vendors, educational and hands-on activities in the Family Village, and more. The festivities kickoff Friday with Gladys Knight and Eric Benet performing at the North Carolina Museum of Art. For tickets and more information visit www.aacfestival.org/
ProgDay
ProgDay, the world’s longest-running Progressive Rock Festival, is celebrating its 28th year and is set for Sept. 2-3 at Chapel Hill’s Storybrook Farm. The event will feature artists from all over the world including Karmic Juggernaut, A Light Sleeper, Moon Letters, Perfect, Red Fiction, tu:NER, We Used to Cut the Grass and You Bred Raptors? For tickets visit https://progday.net/.
The 14th annual Front Porch Fest
The 14th annual Front Porch Fest is a family friendly festival set for Aug. 31-Sept. 3 at Spirithaven Farm in Stuart, Virginia. This year’s musical lineup includes Butcher Brown, Jimkata, Dangermuffin, DJ Williams, Sun-Dried Vibes, Cailtin Krisko & The Broadcast, Big Daddy Love, The Plate Scrapers, The Judy Chops, Urban Soil, The Wilson Springs Hotel and many more, according to organizers. In addition to 30-plus bands, Front Porch Fest features an array of children’s activities, yoga, campsite jams, on-site camping, craft brews and foods, and more. For tickets, volunteering, vending and sponsorship opportunities visit frontporchfest.com/
Appaloosa Roots Music Festival
MerleFest’s favorite house band Celtic rockers Scythian hosts Appaloosa Roots Music Festival in Front Royal, Virginia, on Sept. 2-3. The lineup features an exciting mix of artists from various genres including the Triangle’s own Chatham Rabbits, Blue Highway, Screaming Orphans, Carbon Leaf, Christian Lopez and many more. For tickets and more information, visit appaloosafestival.com/
The final lineup for Scythian’s Appaloosa Roots Music Festival 2019 is here and includes headliners Steep Canyon Rangers, the Dustbowl Revival, Yarn, Humming House, Fireside Collective and many more.
“We’re thrilled to release our full slate of amazing artists for our big fifth anniversary, with 33 bands over three days,” the band wrote in an email.
Book tickets and accommodations at appaloosafestival.com.
Listen up music festival lovers: Labor Day Weekend 2018 has plenty of opportunities in North Carolina, Virginia and beyond. Continue reading
Scythian announced today Gaelic Storm will be headlining the Celtic rock band’s annual Appaloosa Roots Music Festival on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.
Gaelic Storm, Santa Monica, California’s internationally renowned Celtic band, has been topping the Billboard World Music Charts for decades.
The band also announced its full lineup on its new festival website, designed by none other than Danylo Fedoryka, that is full of visuals and videos to give fans a sense of the festival.
In an email, the band writes: “We invite you to our hometown for a music festival set under the Blue Ridge Mountains. Appaloosa is making waves and was chosen by Virginia Tourism to receive a ‘Virginia is for Music Lovers’ grant. We hope you can come join us this Labor Day Weekend and allow us to host you in our hometown of Front Royal, Virginia!”
In addition to Gaelic Storm and Scythian, Chapel Hill, North Carolina’s Mandolin Orange will also headline. The lineup includes Town Mountain, Humming House, Fireside Collective, Mountain Duo and Will Overman, among many others.
Visit http://appaloosafestival.com for advance ticket sales and more information.
Appaloosa Roots Music Festival has announced the initial lineup for Aug. 31-Sept. 2, 2018, will include not one, but three, of my personal favorites — North Carolina-based Mandolin Orange, Town Mountain and Fireside Collective — thanks in part to a grant from the state of Virginia’s tourism folks, otherwise known as “Virginia is for Lovers.” Continue reading
I had the pleasure of catching the Forlorn Strangers, a foot-stomping, Nashville-based string quintet, at the Lincoln Theatre in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, a few weeks ago when they opened for Celtic rockers Scythian at an International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Wide Open Bluegrass preview show for its upcoming festival Sept. 29-30.
It also turned out to be a preview show for Scythian’s Appaloosa Roots Music Festival set for Sept. 1-3 in Front Royal, Virginia, at which both Scythian and Forlorn Strangers are set to perform. And Front Porch Fest fans will be happy to know they can catch Forlorn Strangers at the festival on Sept. 3 in Stuart, Virginia.
“If I have one piece of advice, don’t burn your business down.”
Solid advice from Strong Oaks Woodshop founder Mike Schmiedicke. It comes from someone who doesn’t want to see what happened to him, his family, his employees and his community happen to someone else.
But this isn’t a story about what Schmiedicke lost in a blaze this past April. It’s about what he found. It’s about friends and community. It’s about how, when we pay it forward, it can come back around in ways we can’t even imagine.
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